Veterans Service Dog Quick Start-up Fund

$2,405
of $4,000 goal

I'm currently trying to raise money for a service dog for veterans that were in the same position that I was in. The VA's program for PTSD dogs does not exist anymore and I have spoken to my councilor about that and they have written me recommendations. Combat PTSD is often misconstrued for being a sickness when it is not. Combat heightens the senses and rewards you for surviving in a hostile environment. The problem is that when you return to a place that those senses are not needed it can be difficult to adjust them to normal life. As for myself, I was hyper vigilant and decided to take a medication to reduce those heightened senses. The problem is that medications never find a happy medium and you lose motivation, think erratic due to inability to feel, and inability to focus. The VA was not monitoring me and I decided not to take them and to take my normal personality back. I became violently sick and as I was going through this one of my Marines had killed himself by overdosing on drugs. Partially I blame the VA for perscribing so many medications. I knew there was a better way.

I started this fund for myself but since then I my financial situation has changed dramatically. So this is the start of phase two of my plan to create awareness and help veterans that are in the same position that I was in.My Goal is $4,000.00

What was important was that this dog was the one I wanted and that I chose. As a young Soldier or Marine, you're trained to become great and you're built from the ground up. $4,000.00 is a high goal but this is why I selected that range.

I have matched what was originally donated to me and I'm giving myself a year to find other veterans in need starting 5/21/2014.If by that time I do not find any I will donate it to a chartiy that focuses on training dogs for Veterans only after they have been ceritifed that they themselves are leggitament charities.

For Veterans in need: Contact (trapusmc@yahoo.com)Proof of ServiceProof of Combat Service or Operations ConductedMust Document all activities (such as receipts, training, Etc.)Monthly UpdatesMust be caring of animals Funds will paid straight to the training group but MAY assist in purchase or adotion of dog.

Background: Enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in April of 2004. Over the eight and a half years that I served in the Marine Corps was in the infantry and I was deployed three times overseas. From 2005-2008, I conducted combat operations with Weapons Company 2nd Battalion 8th Marines in Iraq and other operations in the Middle East. After my time in 2nd Battalion 8th Marines, I was a Combat Instructor at the School of Infantry West till I left active duty in August 2012. I'm currently going to school at LSU to pursue a B.S. in Business Management and I'm currently the President of the Student Veterans of LSU. We have made great strides in helping fellow Veterans with their transition to student. So far we have risen over $13,000.00 to help run the Veterans Center at LSU.

Now that the first phase is complete, I have turned my attention to helping other veterans. One of my fellow 2/8 buddies trains service dogs in the Boston area. Well he had to move and he told me about Mark Nicolas’s story. Mark was a corpsman who was deployed to Afghanistan. Mark is fighting the same battle with the VA. that I had except his benefits were cut. In order to get his dog trained he is going to need $2000.00 and I have already allocated $500.00 to put towards Mark’s training to at least get him started. So we now need to raise and additional $1500.00 for him. Let’s help Mark get the training he needs!!!!! I will have more details and we are working in conjunction with another charity in order to do this for Mark, so please spread the word thanks.

Sorry everyone I've been a little busy lately. I will post a update this week. My financial situation has changed dramatically and it is time to refocus my cause to helping other veterans. Thanks for the support everyone and I will have updates soon.

Other programs have had great success by adopting and training dogs rescued from shelters. This decreases the cost of the dog and leaves more money available for training and veterinary care. Is it possible that rescue dogs will become service dogs through your fund?

Nick - I cannot offer too much help as we are in Virginia, but my husband and I recently founded an organization called Fight for Freedom to help veterans obtain service dogs. I do not know some of the more complex tasks but I'd be happy to do an online video training to help with basics like brace or block.

Other programs have had great success by adopting and training dogs rescued from shelters. This decreases the cost of the dog and leaves more money available for training and veterinary care. Is it possible that rescue dogs will become service dogs through your fund?

Nick - I cannot offer too much help as we are in Virginia, but my husband and I recently founded an organization called Fight for Freedom to help veterans obtain service dogs. I do not know some of the more complex tasks but I'd be happy to do an online video training to help with basics like brace or block.